The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1887-03-31
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondents
WASHINGTON. d. c..
MARCH 18th, 1887. (

The composition of the Inter
State Commerce Commission has
been the chief subject of comment
here for the past few days. For
the most part it seems to give sat
isfaction, and some are ever en-
tnusiastic in its praise. One prom
inent citizen of Washington re-
marked that the character of the
men composing the board was am
Pile compensation for the delay in
their appointment.
Now and then you hear a Re-
publican object to the appoint
ment of Judge Cooley as one OF
the Representatives of his party,
saying that he has not been in ac-
cord with the Republican party for
some years, but as a rule his Sc
lection is highly commended by
leading men of both sides. The
Democrats would have been graft
fec if exRepresentative Morrison's
name had headed the list for the
longest term of Office, six years,
and Judge Cooley been given the
second place. But, at the White
House, the explanation of this was
that the Judge had made such a
sacrifice to accept a place on the
commission that it was the least
the President could to name him
| first IT. is said he sacrificed S25.-
1000 per annum as receiver for the
81, 800 salary of a Commissioner.
In politics the commission, as
was to be expected, is divided be-
tween a democratic majority and
a republican minority. The rep
resentative character of each ofthe
democratic members, Messrs. Nor
rison, SHOEMAKER and Bragg.
will pass without question. Mr..
Schoonmaker is said to be the per-
sonal selection of the President
He was a trusted friend of the late
Gov. Tilden and has long had the
confidence of Mr.. Cleveland, Mr..
Walker of Vermont has the parti-
san endorsement of Senator Ed
munds, and Judge Cooley, if ques-
TONED, would pronounce himself a
Republican.
The list of names reveals a con-
~scientieus effort to secure the most
competent, qualified and able men
who could be obtained for the sal.
aries. In each case there is some
thing to give the man peculiar
claim to the distinction. Messrs
Cooley, Walker and Bragg have
been prominently identified with
the subject of governmental rela
lions to the railroads. Mr.. Bragg
as president of the Alabama Rail
road Commission, and Mr.. Walk
er, as a member Of the Vernon
Senate, have had experience in thu
formation and execution of legis
! iation affecting the railroads, ant
: Judge Cooley is perhaps the mos
eminent authority in the United
States on subjects of Constitution
al law affecting interstate com
, merce.
Mr.. Morrison is qualified by hi
long experience as a lawmakel
his thorough study of Commercial
9 questions and his universally re
cognized integrity and earnestness
Mr.. Schoonmaker's special fines
for the appointment lies in hi
I familiarity with the laws and com
), merce of New York, and his rela
tions to Gov. Tilden as a cc-opera
. tor in his reform measures.
The new law is a vast problem
e Every feature of it's operations i
more or less uncertain, and what
ever is done adverse criticism an
vigorous opposition may be e1
pected. Under the circumstance
the President could scarcely hay
followed better rules of selection
In choosing the Commissioners o
the basis of merit, he has relieve
i himself of responsibility to a grea'
er degree than he could have don
by appointments based more upo
t political and personal considers
: tions.
The construction of the Inter
State Commerce Commission ha
been a work of six weeks for tn
t President. To make it satisfa,
g tory, fairly representative of a
conflicting interests, and fairl
representative of the various sec
tons of the country-condition
!, which are necessary, because TIL
commission will be in its wides
I sense a National court-the a
tempt to do all this, the Presider
says, has been the most dificul
puzzle of his Administrations
Several times he supposed he ha
the Commission completed, BIZ
, each time a hitch occurred and a
entire redistribution of places wa
necessitated. Every time fou
> good members were secured it wa
found impossible to get fifth VIII
would exactly fit in with the oil
er four and then a complete recas
q was required.
The labors of the Commissio
will be comprehensive and a cor
o siderable force of clerks and assis
ants will be required. Substant
: ally, the Capital will have a ne
Department. Altogether the effet
upon this city will be more pr,
nounced than that Of any law pas.
. ed in recent years. juno.